Patterson Cemetery District, Stanislaus County, CA
Obituaries for 1929
Submitted by Gale Stroud and Burta Herger 26 Aug 2007
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Friddle Glenn 290322 p1
Crossing Crash Kills One; "Owl" Imperiled; Spectacular Crash Kills Former Pattersonite; Limited Train Endangered
In the most spectacular crash in years in this vicinity, Glenn Friddle, driving a big truck for J. J. Smith was almost
instantly killed yesterday morning at the Southern Pacific highway crossing just south of Crows landing. The big, heavy
truck, was hit broadside on by the northbound Owl Limited; the machine being utterly wrecked, and in the fire that
followed the explosion of the car's tanks both the engineer and firemen of the limited were burned slightly, and the
engine, tender and mail car more or less scorched by fire. Friddle was still breathing when picked up, but was scarcely
alive. His skull was crushed and his clothing destroyed by fire.
Followed Another Truck; Friddle, hauling calves to the city market, had loaded a lot of the Western Meat company at
Newman, and was following George Carvalho of the Acme market to the Terry slaughter house near Crows Landing to
complete his load. Carvalho drove over the crossing safely, well ahead of the Owl's arrival. It is believed that Friddle,
mechanically following the other truck, failed to look for a train. As he had to make a sharp turn, he must have been
moving slowly, and could have stopped in a few yards, but there is no evidence that he tried to stop.
Tremendous Smash; Evidently the force of the collision was tremendous. The heavy frame of the truck was twisted out
of shape, and carried more than two blocks before the train could be stopped, being thrown off just south of the Crows
Landing depot. It was about an hour before the fire burned out and the track was cleared to enable the train to proceed.
The engine men were able to take the train in, their burns not being severe.
Considerable Damage; The truck, worth around $3000, is a total loss. The owner, J. J. ( Red ) Smith, carried insurance,
both for property damage and employees' compensation, so part of his loss will be covered, and the family of the
deceased will receive the customary allowance, which is said to be practically standardized at $5000. Friddle is a former
local resident, having charge of the P. G. & E. sub-station at the No. 2 plant of the Patterson Water company last year.
He leaves a wife and two children.
Dangerous Possibilities; A disastrous rail wreck might very easily have resulted. Striking such a heavy truck precisely at
a switch junction could easily derail the engine. As it was some of the rail spikes were sheared off, and two switch
targets smashed. A derailment, with cars thrown into the blazing truck, would have shocking possibilities. Another
danger was the presence of the big Shell storage tanks, off the right of way, but so near that a derailed train might have
crashed into them.